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In this episode of LSTM in Conversation, host Dr Kerry Millington, Senior Research & Policy Associate at LSTM and working as a Research Uptake Manager on the LIGHT research programme, speaks with Dr Jasper Nidoi and Dr Chukwuebuka Ugwu, early career researchers at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, about their work on the LIGHT Research Programme, a UK AID–funded initiative tackling gender and social barriers to tuberculosis (TB) care in Africa.

From Uganda to Nigeria, Jasper and Ebuka share insights from their doctoral studies on developing gender-responsive and community-led approaches to TB diagnosis and treatment, highlighting why men are often “missing” from TB services and how co-designed, people-centred interventions are changing that.

Later in the episode, LSTM alumnus Dr Mohammed Yassin, Senior Advisor on Tuberculosis at The Global Fund, joins the discussion to reflect on the importance of mentoring early career researchers, building equitable partnerships, and translating evidence into policy to accelerate progress towards ending TB.

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In this episode of LSTM In Conversation, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Professor of Molecular Virology Professor Jonathan Ball sits down with LSTM alumnus Professor Kevin Marsh, a world-renowned malariologist whose career has helped shape the scientific landscape across Africa.

Professor Marsh reflects on his early inspiration to study malaria while at LSTM, the mentors who guided him, and his journey in establishing the KEMRI–Wellcome Trust Research Programme and co-founding the Science for Africa Foundation. Together, they explore lessons in scientific leadership, the importance of co-creation and long-term investment in locally led research, and the future of global health in the context of climate change, epidemic preparedness, and emerging malaria vaccines.

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In this episode of LSTM In Conversation, Dr Laura Dean speaks with alumnus Dr Ifeanyi Nsofor, public health physician, behavioral science researcher, and global health equity advocate. Together, they explore Dr Nsofor’s journey from aspiring surgeon to championing preventive health, his experiences tackling misinformation during the Ebola response, and the power of technology and social media in shaping health narratives today.

The discussion highlights the importance of breaking down scientific evidence for communities, amplifying voices from the Global South, and rethinking global health leadership to ensure equity and accountability. Dr Nsofor also reflects on his time at LSTM, the lessons that shaped his career, and the pressing steps needed to achieve health equity in the next decade.

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In this episode of LSTM In Conversation, Professor Sally Theobald reconnects with LSTM alumna Dr. Bertha Simwaka, now Senior Fund Portfolio Manager for Zambia at the Global Fund. Together, they explore Bertha’s career journey from her PhD at LSTM, embedded in Malawi’s health systems, to leading multi-million dollar HIV, TB, and malaria programmes across Zambia and India.

Bertha shares her reflections on the importance of gender equity, multidisciplinary approaches, and the role of community health in strengthening national systems. She offers practical insights into navigating leadership in global health, balancing international responsibilities with personal commitments, and ensuring health programmes are both impactful and sustainable.

This inspiring conversation also includes advice for early-career professionals on embracing collaboration, valuing local expertise, and building careers that drive real-world change.

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In this bonus episode of LSTM In Conversation, writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce reflects on adapting The Railway Man and sharing the powerful story of FEPOW survivor Eric Lomax. He explores the challenges of portraying trauma, the complexity of forgiveness, and the importance of remembering untold histories.

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This powerful episode of LSTM In Conversation explores the long-running Far East Prisoners of War (FEPOW) Project, a unique research and remembrance initiative chronicling the health, trauma, and lived experiences of former FEPOW during and after WWII. Alumni, Emeritus Professor Geoff Gill and Meg Parkes share highlights from decades of groundbreaking work in tropical medicine, and psychological care, alongside emotional oral histories, revealing how Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine has shaped care, research, and memory for over 70 years.

Cover image: "Working Men" Thailand 1943, by Gunner Jack Chalker, ©️T.Mercer

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This episode of LSTM in Conversation podcast features an interview with Dr. Kennedy Uadiale, an alumnus of Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and a current PhD student. The discussion explores Kennedy's career journey from a medical doctor to his extensive work with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) across Africa and Asia, and his recent return to LSTM. Kennedy's PhD research is part of the NIHR-funded Optimising Antibiotic Usage to Mitigate Antimicrobial Resistance project, with partners in Malawi, Zambia, and Uganda (Opt-AMR). The interview explores the complexities of AMR, discussing its drivers, impact, and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to tackling this global health challenge.

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In this episode of LSTM in Conversation, Dr. Martha J. Chinouya, Director of Global Health Studies and Reader at LSTM, engages in a conversation with Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary for Health Services & Environment in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Together, they explore the intersection of public health, environmental stewardship, and global health leadership.

Dr. Fasawe shares her journey from LSTM alumnus to a high-impact leader in public health and environmental policy in Nigeria. This episode delves into her work addressing health inequalities, her strategies for strengthening health systems, and the role of women in shaping global health narratives. The discussion highlights the importance of partnerships, innovation, and resilience in addressing pressing health challenges, with insights on how LSTM has influenced their careers and visions for a healthier world.